LifeStyle Newsletter - The Future is Almost Here!

Before you know it – thanks to smart phones, tablets, and wireless technology – your home will be connected to the Internet of Things. Sure, home automation costs a few shekels, but just imagine it! You could be the envy of Jane Jetson, receiving text messages from your slow cooker, giving voice commands to water the lawn, and using a smart phone app to open the locks on your door.1 Home automation could help you:

• Save money on heating and cooling. Smart thermostats adjust themselves and estimates suggest they may reduce energy usage by as much as 20 percent. • Know who comes and goes. The same keyless access system that lets you unlock doors with your smart phone can also monitor home access.• Turn on the heat, lights, and walls. You can manage climate, lighting, and audio on your drive home. Have your smart walls pull up the artwork you feel like seeing and signal your digital backsplash to display the recipe you need for dinner.• Enjoy greater peace of mind. You’ll never have to worry that you forgot to turn off an appliance or neglected to turn on the slow cooker. With the right tech, you can check without going back home.

The home automation industry is gaining momentum. It’s expected to grow by double-digits through 2018 when revenues are expected to top $14 billion worldwide.2 However, a lack of standardization means it may not ready for prime time just yet.

Last year, PC Magazine pointed out there are many different communication protocols in use, so not all home automation products will be compatible. One enterprising company has developed a hub that understands multiple protocols so houses whose gadgets speak different languages can communicate.3

If you decide to automate, make sure the products you choose have sound security measures in place. As with anything connected to the Internet, systems can be hacked. Make sure you know how your home is protected.2

The Whole EnchiladaIf you’re in the mood for something spicy, try Tyler Florence’s recipe for chicken enchiladas. It’s one of the highest rated recipes on The Food Network.4

Coat large sauté pan with oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken over medium heat; allow 7 minutes each side or until no longer pink. Sprinkle chicken with cumin, garlic powder, and Mexican spices before turning. Remove chicken to a platter and allow to cool.

Microwave tortillas on high for 30 seconds (this softens them and makes them more pliable). Coat the bottom of two (13” x 9”) pans with a ladle of enchilada sauce. Using a large shallow bowl, dip each tortilla in enchilada sauce to lightly coat. Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each tortilla. Fold over filling; place 8 enchiladas in each pan with seam side down. Top with remaining enchilada sauce and cheeses. Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 350-degree oven until cheese melts. Garnish with cilantro, scallions, sour cream, and chopped tomatoes before serving. Serve with Spanish rice and beans.

What Do You Know About High-Tech Cooking?In an article for FoodandWine.com, Katherine Wheelock wrote:5

“It is hard for me to conceive of a cooking experience that doesn't involve negotiations with heat, a cacophony of sounds, and a tangle of smells. For me, the pleasure of preparing a meal (besides serving it and eating it, of course) is visceral. I love the scent of bacon grease and the sound of the whirring fan in the oven hood. I am lulled by a hand-cramping hour of stirring polenta. My most cherished cooking memories are the ones marked by burnt tongues, tricky pilot lights, and imperfectly browned vegetables.”

Regardless, she gave it all up to prepare Thanksgiving dinner with high-tech appliances. See what you know about high-tech kitchen gadgets by taking this quiz.6

1. What does a sous vide do?a. Washes, dries, and cuts vegetablesb. Cooks food in vacuum-sealed bags submerged in water bathsc. Weighs food using a digital food scale

2. A high-frequency electromagnet interacts with steel or iron in this cooking appliance:a. A pressure panb. A fusion blenderc. An induction burner

3. A ‘sensor can’ is:a. A trash receptacle with a lid that opens at the wave of a handb. A storage solution that changes color when its contents go badc. A waterproof case that makes your tablet kitchen-ready

We Are Mostly HappyMost Americans are happy. An AARP study called Beyond Happiness: Thriving found about 20 percent of us are really happy, 30 percent are not too happy, and 2 percent aren’t sure whether they’re happy. The rest are just pretty happy.

So, what makes us happy? When asked what was important in their lives, survey participants offered the following:

Money was last on the list; however, the study found a significant correlation between income and happiness. Fewer people who earned $75,000 or more each year were ‘not too happy’ and more people in that earnings range were ‘very happy.’7

Quiz Answers:1. B – Cooks food in vacuum-sealed bags submerged in water baths 2. C – An induction burner3. A – A trash receptacle with a lid that opens at the wave of a hand

Have A Question?

On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s okay to celebrate even if you’re not Irish. St. Patrick himself wasn’t Irish. As we celebrate, we would like to share some of our favorite facts and tidbits about St. Patrick’s Day:1 • St. Patrick’s Day is an...

Market Summary

Get Financial News & Updates Delivered to Your Inbox

Name

Email

Thank you!

Error processing your request. Please try again at a later time.

Check the background of your financial professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information.
The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals
for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by
FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named
representative, broker - dealer, state - or SEC - registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and
material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or
sale of any security.